The Optimist: They are Olympians. They are mothers. And they no longer have to choose.

In 1961, she lost her chance to go to space. This week, at 82, she finally got her shot.; Living in the moment with our kids is so important, now more than ever; Help name this trio of baby ferrets at the National Zoo's biology center; This chef closed her high-pressure kitchen to make innovative ice creams by the lake; 'Just like any Olympian': For the first time, Paralympians will get equal pay for their achievements; How tea became part of Australia's travel culture; How has the pandemic changed dating? Here's 7 tips for getting back out there.; Poster artists remind us what makes national parks worth visiting; Happening now: Post reporters in Tokyo answer your Olympics questions as the world's best athletes prepare to compete ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for this newsletter Read online Stories that inspire.     (Niege Borges for The Post) They are Olympians. They are mothers. And they no longer have to choose. This summer, at least a dozen moms will compete for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, among them some of the most accomplished and famous female athletes of their era. By Dave Sheinin, Bonnie Berkowitz and Rick Maese ●  Read more »   In 1961, she lost her chance to go to space. This week, at 82, she finally got her shot. Wally Funk was among a group of female pilots who endured dozens of tests to see how women's bodies would hold up in space. On Tuesday, she joined Blue Origin's first crewed spaceflight. By Marisa Iati ●  Read more »   Living in the moment with our kids is so important, now more than ever I am hopeful that they'll enjoy many of the things we took for granted before, but I also wonder what are we taking for granted now. Perspective ●  By Maggie Smith ●  Read more »   Help name this trio of baby ferrets at the National Zoo's biology center (Or just watch them on web camera.) The public can help select their names through July 25. By Dana Hedgpeth ●  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   This chef closed her high-pressure kitchen to make innovative ice creams by the lake Making ice cream at the lake is not a summer side job for Kern Desjarlais. This is her full-time gig, and she is producing some of the richest, most inventive ice cream imaginable. By Kathy Gunst ●  Read more »   'Just like any Olympian': For the first time, Paralympians will get equal pay for their achievements We spoke with several women competing in Tokyo about what this means for them. The Lily ●  By Shannon Carlin ●  Read more »   How tea became part of Australia's travel culture Rest stops and a network of volunteers offer weary drivers a free 'cuppa,' building community along the roads. By Riley Wilson ●  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   How has the pandemic changed dating? Here's 7 tips for getting back out there. Be upfront with your date and take things slowly. By Lisa Bonos ●  Read more »   Poster artists remind us what makes national parks worth visiting "The Art of the National Parks" is a collection of screen-printed posters portraying the Badlands and beyond. By Stephanie Merry ●  Read more »   Happening now: Post reporters in Tokyo answer your Olympics questions as the world's best athletes prepare to compete Read our Q&A with The Post's Barry Svrluga and Adam Kilgore, who are in Japan for the strangest Olympics in many years. By Barry Svrluga and Adam Kilgore ●  Read more »     We think you'll like this newsletter Check out Eat Voraciously for one quick, adaptable and creative recipe in your inbox Monday through Thursday to inspire delicious meals. Sign up »

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